Wrapper type can carrier



Dec. 15, 1964 J. c. sPERY WRAPPER TYPE CAN CARRIER 2 Sheets-Sheet i Filed Jan. 31, 1962 INVENTOR.

Joseph C. Spery ATTORNEY Dec. 15, 1964 Filed Jan. 3l, 1962 J. C. SPERY WRAPPER TYPE CAN CARRIER 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Joseph C. Spery ATTORNEY MLM-4 WRAPPER TYPE CAN CAREER .loseph E. Spery, 527 Madison Ave., Room lttl, New York, NX. Filed dan. 3l, i962. Ser. No. Nihil@ lo Claims. (Qi. 229--4t5-} This invention relates to a foldable wrapper type can carrier, and more specifically to improvements in a wrapper type can carrier for facilitating the loading thereof, the portage thereof, and to the accessibility f the cans carried therein.

Many different kinds of wrapper type carriers are known for packaging and distributing a variety of products sold in cans or the like, eg.v beer, soda, and various other can goods. The most commonly used carrier is one sized to accommodate six cans of a given goods. Carriers of this type heretofore known are generally formed of paperboard, card-board and the like. Such can carriers, commonly refer-red to as a six pack, are formed so as to be defined by opposed top, bottom and side wall panels to form a quadrilateral ligure having open` ends. Since these wrappers are designed to carry six cans of a given product, it has been heretofore customary to disposel the six cans within such wrappers into two rows, three cans deep. To retain the cans in position within the wrapper it was customary to provide the top and bottom panels with blanked out can retaining aps which when folded inwardly of the wrapper engaged the chime of the end cans. The end cans so retained, inturned, served to hold the middle can in position within the wrapper'.

Wrappers of the type described are generally sold to a canner in an assembled and flattened position. Thus in preparation for loading such wrappers the first step taken is that of. squaring the Wrapper. With the wrapper squared loading of such wrappers was carried out by first loading through one end `thereof the two middle cans. The middle cans are then properly centered and the end can retaining aps die cut from their respective panels are then broken and punched inwardly of the wrapper. The two end cans to be disposed within the carrier on either side of the middle pair of cans are then end loaded from either end of the Wrapper either simultaneously or in successive steps; the movement of the end cans through the end of the wrapper serving to reversely fold the inwardly punched can retaining flaps so that the end cans may be positively retained within the carrier. Thus, with the known can wrapper constructions adapted for end loading, it will be apparent that the inherent construction thereof required cans to be loaded with a minimum of two can loading operations. Consequently the loading operation was slowed to the extent that at least two distinct can loading operations are required to load the wrapper.

Further difficulty is oftentimes encountered with the loading of such known wrapper constructions in that frequently the can retaining flaps are not suiiiciently broken or positively retained out of the plane olf its respective panel so as to be engaged by the cans being loaded thereinto. Consequently the loading operation either becomes jammed or else the end cans were not properly retained within the container.

Another discerning problem with the known carrier constructions was the ditiiculty encountered in removing a can from the carrier by a consumer. The construction of the carrier, above described when properly loaded, is such that the retaining flaps firmly retain the cans in position within the carrier. Because the canned goods are held tightly within such known carriers, and because such carriers are formed of relatively heavy and tough United States Patent O ICC paperboard, cardboard and the like, extreme diiculty was heretofore encountered by a consumer when an attempt was made `to remove a can from the carrier. Usually a struggle was required to free a can therefrom, and then only at the expense of completely destroying or tearing apart of the wrapper carrier.

Therefore an object of this invention is to provide an improved wrapper can carrier having full open sides ar-l ranged and constructed to enhance the loading thereof.

Another object of this invention is to provide the wrapper type carrier with improvedv can retaining flaps that are positively maintained out of the plane of its respective panel and folded inwardly of the carrier.

Still another obiect is to provide an improved can retaining flap constructed and arranged in a manner which permits the wrapper to be made of la minimum of paperboard.

Another object is to provide an improved can carrier constructed and arranged so as to facilitate the removal of the cans therefrom with a minimum of effort.

A feature or" this invention resides in an improved wrapper type can carrier arranged and constructed whereby the cans carried therein may be simultaneously loaded thereinto in a single can loading operation.

In accordance with this invention the foregoing objects and other features and advantages are attained by a wrapper type can carrier formed of a single blank of sheet material constructed and arranged so as to be folded to define a closed quadrilateral ligure having full open sides. A feature of the wrapper construction resides in an improved can retaining iiap construction. The arrangement of the flap is such that it is .folded inwardly of the wrapper carrier with means for positively retaining the flap folded out `of 'the plane of the panel from which it is blanked. This is an important consideration dur-ing a can loading operation. ln one form of the invention, the improved can retaining flap is blanked so as to provide for maximum economy of paperboard, a prime consideration with wrapper carrier art.

A further ifea-.ture of rthis invention resides in the provision of an easy tear, or score line circumscribing at least three sides of the folded wrapper to facilitate the removal of the cans therefrom.

Other features and advantages will become more readily apparent when considered in view of the description and drawings in which:

FlG. l is a plan view of the preformed blank from which the can carrier of this invention is formed.

FIG. 2 illustrates a fragmentary portion of the wrapper .blank shown in an intermediate folded position.

FlG. 3 is a fragmentary portion of the wrapper blank shown in a second intermediate folded position.

FlG. 4 illustrates the preformed blank in a finally folded and attened position.

FIG. 5 is a side View of the wrapper carrier of this invention illustrated in a partially squared position.

PEG. 6 is a side view of the wrapper in its squared position and with a can in place in one of the Wrapper cells.

FlG. 7 is a bottom view of the wrapper of FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is a top View of the wrapper of FIG. 6.

FIG. 9 is a detail View of the improved can retaining iiap of this invention.

FIG. 10 is a section taken along line lid-lll of FIG. 9.

FlG. 1l is a bottom view of a modified can wrapper; and

FIG. l2 is a sectional View taken along line 12-12 of FIG. l1.

Referring to the drawings, there is shown an improved wrapper type can carrier 2d in which a plurality of canned goods 2l, eg. beer, soda, or various other products are packaged. he carrier 2.@ may be constructed so as Atrates the details' of the preformed and die cut blank 22 from which the wrapper carrier is formed. As shown therein girth defining portionsl or panels including a top panel 23, end panel 24, bottom panel and second end panel 26 are connected in end to end relationship. The top panelV 23 is connected to the end panel 24about foldline F1, the end panel 24 to bottom panel 25 about foldline F2, and bottom panel 25 to the other end panel,l

26 about foldline F3.

Connected about a foldline F4 to the extreme end of the end panel 26 is a handle panel 27., vA handhole4 27A is cut out of handle panel 27. 'A complementary handle panel 28 is connected along foldline F5 to the extreme end'of' the top panel 23. Die cut from complementary handle panel 28 is a ap 28A foldable about fold F6, and foldable about foldline F7 is a marginal handle fold 28B. l

As it will be hereinafter described, the topi and bottom panels 23, 25, respectively, are formed with die cut, preformed can retaining flaps 29 and 30.

Laterally adjacent to the top panel 23 is that portion 22A of the blank which when folded defines the intermediate panels 31, 32 of the wrapper 20 and which partition the wrapper into a plurality of cells 33, 34 land 35, each cell being adapted to receive a pair of can `goods 21'. As shown the latter portion 22A of the blank includes a subtop panel- 36 which is connected about a foldline F8 ,to

-the middle portion of the top panel 23. Connected to either end of the sub-panel 36 about respective fold line F9 and F10 are the intermediate panels 31 and 32 respectively. Each intermediate panel 31, 32 isV provided with an end flap 31A, 32A foldable about foldline F11 and F12k respectively. As shown, the sub-panel 36 is provided with cut-out Aportions 36A to accommodate the can retaining middle iiaps 29 of the top panel 23, as will be described hereinafter.

According to this invention the end panels 24, 26, bottom panel 25, and the intermediate panels 31, 32, are each provided ywith a longitudinally extending score or easy tear line 37 disposed midway between side edges of the A respective panels. As will be hereinafter described, the score or easy tear line 37 facilitates removal of the cans 21 packaged within the carrier 20.

To form the carrier 20 of this invention from the blank 22 described, portions of the blank 22 arecoated with a llayer of glue o'r other suitable adhesive or bonding agent.Y

As shown, the glue is applied to the complementary handle panels' 28 and handle liaps 28A and 23B, the mid-section 23A of the top panel 23 and to the one side of the flaps 31A and 32A connected about foldline F11 and F12 to the intermediate panelsV 31, 32. It will be observed that the respective glued surfaces of the intermediate'pan'- blank 22. Y Y y The carrier is readilyv formed by folding the lateral disposed portion 2'2A of the blank 22 about foldline F 8 so that the intermediate panels 31 and 32 and topsub-panel 36 therebetween'overlie the inside surface of toppanel23, as shown in FIG. 2. inthe next step, the intermediate el flaps3-1`A, 32A, are disposed on opposite' sides of the.

panel 32 is reversely folda'ble" about itsV foldline F10 to.

overlie the sub-panel 36 and .other intermediate panel 31 as shown in FIG. 3. In this portion it willbe note'dthat the glued portions of flaps 31A andY 32A; and handle panel 28 are now all face up, as shown in FIG. 3. In the nextrfold, the end panel'26and connectedi bottom' panelY 25 are reversely folded, as one, about foldline F210 overlie theV intermediate panels 31 and 32V and handle panel v 28, as shown in FIG.v 4. As shown therein, it will. be noted that handle flap 28B is reversely folded to overlie andbe secured to handle panel 27,an'd the handle flap 28A is folded through the hand hole 27A of handle panel 27 to adhere to the end panel 26.. With the blank 22 thus folded, it will be` apparent that the wrapper 2) is now complete and firmly `secured in folded position. To prepare the folded Wrapper carrier 20, thus'described for loading, it needs to be squared. In its'squared' position, it will be observed that` the wrapper 20 is deiined of quadrilaterally disposed top 23, bottom 25 and connected end panels 24, 26, with a pair of intermediate panels 31 and 32 disposedV parallel to the end panels 24, 26. The wrapper 20 thus described is formed with full open sides and is partitioned into three cells 33', 34 and 35, each sized to receive two cans 21 disposed in side by side relationship. f

To retain the Vcans in position within the wrapper 20' described, can retaining flaps 29, 30 are die-out in the top 23 and bottom 25 panels. yIn the illustrated embodiment a pair of 'can 'retaining aps are formed in theY top and bottom of each4 cell, one eachI ofV each c-an retained therein. The cam retaining flaps l29 in the top panel are constructed in the manner shown'and described in my-copending applicaiton, Serial No. 145,678, led-l October 17, 1961," now U.S. Patent No. 3,140,036, and* therefore needv notV be repeated herein.

However, in accordance with thisinvention a modifiedv can retaining iiap 3i?l is formed in the bottom panel. A-s best shown in FIGS. 7, 9 and 10, the flaps 30 eachinclude a can retainingportion 30A having an arcuate periphery 30B blanked'out ofthe bottom panel. The arcuate peniphery 30B is shaped to conform to the can vchime to be retainedl thereby. Accordingly the can retaining portion 30A lis adaptedV to be folded inwardly of the wrapper carrier about its folding F13 and about which it is integrally connected to its respective panelI 23. Formed integral with the can retaining portion 30A of the ap 30Visl a holding tab 30C which is likewise blanked out of the panel 23. Asbest seen'inFIG'. 9 the base 38 of the tab- 30C' is 'die-cut -so'as to extend.v into the plane of the can retaining portion 30A. Also the tab 30C is provided with side edges 39 that taper inwardly tow-ard its free end 30D. As a result, the complementary edges 40 of the notch f41` from which the tab 30C is blanked are also similarly tapered. According to this invention, and as best seen in FIG. 9, thev tab 30C is made shorter than the notch 41 from which 'it was blankedi.e. Vthe notch 41 is extended beyond folded about its foldlin'e F14 formed in the plane of the can retaining portion 30A at the base 38 of the tab 30C. With the foldline 'F14 disposed in the planel of the can retaining portion 30A, it will be noted that the tab 30C in its .folded and operative position is fitted flush into the narrow end portion of the tab notch 41. Because ofthe relative difference of tapers between the tab edges 39 and the end edges 40 of the' notch 41, the

tab 30C is frictionally retained in position therein. The

' frictional retention" of tab 30C within the notch 41,

and a tab portion 50B. An important distinction which the flap 50 construction has over that above described flapY 30 is that the arcuate peripheral portion 50C of adjacent aps are oppositely disposed immediately adjacent the centerline 51 of the panel 52 from which flaps 50 are blanked. As seen in FIGS.`1 to 10, the

arcuate portions 36B of flaps Sti are disposed adjacent the outer edges of their respective panel 23. Therefore an important advantage attributed to the flap construction 50 of FiGS. 1l and l2 is that a saving in paperboard may be had. This is due to the fact that the width of the wrapper carrier panel Sti can be reduced to a minimum without reducing the can retaining properties thereof. With the modified' fiap construction 50 it will be noted, as viewed in FG. 12, that the can retaining portion 50A need be only folded inwardly of the carrier a few degrees about its foldline F52 relative to its respective panel 52 to posiiton it in its can retaining position, as distinguished from the substantially 17o-180 reverse fold of the can retaining portion 30A of FIGS. 9 and l0.

To insure that the retaining portion 59A is maintained in its folded position, a holding tab 59B is provided.

As shown, in FIGS. l1 and 12 the tab 5GB is blanked from the panel 52 so that it can be reversely folded outw-ardly of the carrier about a foldline F53 which is disposed in the plane of the can retaining portion 56A. The ltab 59B is made su'iciently long so that in its folded position the `free end 50C of the tab 50B is disposed inwardly of the carrier and between the panel 52 and the can retaining portion 50A folded inwardly of the carrier. With the flap 50 thus folded, the tab portion 50B positively maintains the can retaining portion 59A thereof in the operative can retaining position. Thus, with either ap construction Sti or t) described, the can retaining flaps are assured of being retained in proper folded position, and thereby eliminate much of the load-ing problems encountered with can retaining flaps now conventionally in use. While the can retaining aps 30 and 50 herein described are shown on only one panel of the carrier, it will be understood that the described ap construction made may be employed in opposed panels, if desired.

With the carrier having full open sides as described the loading operation thereof is further speeded up in that the carrier described may be simultaneously loaded with a single can loading operation. Preferably the carrier is loaded so that three cans are simultaneously loaded through both open sides thereof.

Also, it is to be noted that the carrier is constructed so that the cans carried thereby can be readily removed with a minimum of effort. As shown in FIG. 4 the bottom panel 23 adjacent foldline F2 is provided with a pair of closely spaced herringdbone score lines 37A which merge with score line 37. A pull tab 45 is disposed adjacent the foldline F2. Thus, when a force is applied to puil tab 45, the carrier 2G tends to break along the score portions 37A and 37 thereof breaking the carrier into two parts. When this occurs the cans 21 contained therein are rendered readily removable. Also it will be noted that the notch defined by tab cutouts 30C and 50B may be used to insert ones finger so that a pull thereon will release the can engaging portieri from one can if so desired.

From the foregoing description it will be apparent that the carrier is constructed and arranged so as to facilitate loading and to assure positive retention of the cans therein. Further that economy of paperboard is enhanced by a can retaining iiap construction of ths invention. Also the carrier construction is provided with means for facilitating removal of the cans therefrom. Further the position of the handle facilitates portability of the carrier.

While the instant invention has been disclosed with reference to a particular method and a particular embodiment for practicing the same, it is to be appreciated that the invention is not to be taken as limited to all of the details thereof as modifications and variations thereof may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. For use in a wrapper type can carrier having connected opposed wall panels, the improvement of a can retaining iiap having a can chime engaging portion, said iiap being cut from one of said wall panels so as to be foldable about a foldline inwardly of said wrapper whereby said chime engaging portion is raised slightly out of the piane of said one wall panel, and a tab hingedly connected to said flap, said tab being reversely folded relative said chime engaging portion wherein the free end of said tab is disposed between said one wall panel and tiap cut therefrom whereby said tab functions to positively maintain said iiap raised out of the plane of said panel.

2. For use in a wrapper type can carrier having connected opposed wall panels, the improvement of a can retaining iiap having a can chime engaging posit-ion blanked out of one of said Walls so as to be foldable about a foldline inwardly of said wrapper whereby said chime engaging portion is adapted to be raised slightly above the plane of said one wall panel, and a tab blanked from said one Wall, said tab being reversely folded relative said chime engaging portion about a foldline disposed in the plane of said chime engaging portion so that the free end of said tab is disposed between said one Wall panel and chime engaging portion whereby said tab functions to positively maintain said chime engaging portion raised out of the plane of said one panel.

3. For use in a wrapper type carrier having opposed wall panels, the improvement of a can retaining flap blanked from one of said panels for retaining a canin position between said opposed wall panels, said iap including a chime engaging portion having an arcuate peripheryconforming substantially to the chime of ak can, and an integrally connected tab blanked from said vone wall panel and chime engaging portion, said tab being reversely folded relative to said connected fiap and outwardly of said carrier so that the free end of said tab is disposed between the arcuate periphery of said hap and said one wall panel whereby said tab serves to positively maintain said flap folded inwardly of the carrier and out of the plane of the panel from which said iiap is cut.

4. An improved can retaining ap for use in a wrapper type can carrier having opposed wall panels, said flap including a can chime engaging portion and integrally connected tab blanked out of a wall panel, said tab being reversely folded about a foldline relative to said chime engaging portion so that said tab is disposed between the chime engaging portion and the wall panel from which said chime engaging portion is cut for causing said can retaining portion to be raised and positively maintained out of the plane of said panel inwardly of a can carrier.

5. A wrapper type carrier adapted to carry opposed rows of cans, said carrier having opposed top, bottoni, and connected end panels defining a closed quadrilateral figure having opposed open sides, said opposed open sides permitting cans to be simultaneously loaded from opposite sides thereinto, can retaining flaps formed in the top and bottom panels, each of said can retaining iiaps including a can chime engaging portion cut out of 4its respective panels, and means hingedly connected to said chime engaging portion and reversely folded outwardly relative thereto for positively retaining the can engaging portion of said flaps raised out of the plane of its respective panel and inwardly of said carrier for insuring positive engagement between the cans and the chime engaging portion of the respective flaps.

6. A wrapper type carrier having opposed top and bottom panels and connected end walls for defining a closed quadrilateral ligure having opposed open sides, said opposed open sides permitting the cans to be loaded from the side thereof, can retaining iiaps formed in the top and bottom panels, said can retaining flaps including a can chime engaging portion and an integrally connected tab blanked out of one of said panels, said tab being reversely folded about a foldline relative to said chime engaging portion so that said tab is disposed between the Vchime engaging portion and the Wall panel from which said chime engaging portion is'cut for causing said can retaining portion' to bel raised. and' positively maintained out of'the plane of said panel inwardly of a can carrier.

7. Ani improved wrapperftype'ffcan carrier having connected opposed wall: panels, the improvement of a can retaining iap having a can chime engaging portion and a connected tabv portionblanked out of one of said 4wall panels. whereby said chime engaging portion Iis foldable inwardly of said: carrier about a'4 foldline disposedv in the plane of` said one panel, saidA tabhavinginwardly tapering edge portions and? the4 notch from which said tab is blanked having complementary'taperingedges, said. tab being shorter` than the notch from which it'v is blanked,

said chime engaging: portionralnd'.r connected' tab being're' v versely folded so that. the' said'. chime ,engaging portion isl disposed inwardly of said'. carrier to lieV adjacent the inner surface; of its connected panelaand said? connected tab portion.' being reverselyfolde'd relative' said chime enf gaging portion inthe opporsite'directionV so that saidv tab is repositioned in the respective tabnotchiiin saidpanel,

said tab being reversely folded relative saidchime' engagL chimev engaging portion and a' connected tabeportion adapted to'be blanked outV of a: Wall. panel of said car-A rier, said tab and notch from which saidl tab isfblanked having complementary taper-ing: edges, and said It'ab being far shorter, said chime engaging portion and connected tab beingreversely foldedl relativesaid panel sov that' the said chime' engaging portion is disposed inwardly of said carrier to lie'adjacentfthe inner surface of'said panel, and said connected tab portion being reversely folded relative said chime engaging portion' in the opposite direction so that said tab is' repositioned in the tabv notch formed in said panel, said tabbeingreversely folded' relative said chime engaging-portion about a foldline disposed in the plane of chime engaging portionan'd spaced' from thefoldline about which said-chime engaging portion is folded whereby said tab frictionallyV retained in said notch Q. LD

of Vitsrespective panels andv inwardly of the carrier; in

thefolded position of theblank forl insuring positive engagement between the iiaps and the can retain' thereby.

l0. A folder wrapper type can carriedf-formedrof a singley blank ofslieet-v material comprising, a top panel, a' handle connected aboutV a'f'foldline to one end of said top panel, an end"r wall connected about av foldline to the other end of said top panel; a bottom panel connected about' a foldline at one end-thereof to' the other end of said' endwall, a second end Wall connected along a foldline tothe other end ofsaid bottom panel, a complementary handle panel connected' about' the folding to the other endV of said' second endiwall', a topf sub-panel, andv af firstV and second intermediate panel, saidintermediate panels being connected along a fold, lineon' either side ofl saidtop sub-panel, said intermediate panels'tand subpanelconnected: therebetween being adapted'tob'e'reversely foldc'df along a foldlin'e extending longitudinally along between7 one edge o saidsub-panel= and' adjacent top panely so as to' overlie said topxpanel, and saidrintermediate panelsV being foldable relativev saidY ltopV panel so as to extend between said' top' and' bottom panel inthe folded position' thereof, anda plurality off can retaining flaps blanked' out of saidV top andbottom panels for retaining a: can therebetween, wherein each flap in said bottom panel includesa can chime engagingfportion blanked out from said bottom panel so as to be foldablev aboutav foldline inwardly of said wrapper whereby said chime engaging portion-is raised slightly out of the planeofV said' bottom panel, anda tab connected to' said'flap,'said tab adapted to be reversely folded" relative thereto so that the freee'nd of said tabis disposed lbetween saidbottom panel and'can engagingfporti'on blanked'y therefrom whereby saidY tab functions toipositively maintain said' liep raised out of the plane of said bottom panely to' thereby facilitate loading of the cans therento.

positively assures that. saidl chime engaging portion is*v raised out ofthe plane of. its respective panel during a can loading operation.

9. A blank constructionfor forming' an improved Wrapper typeA can carried comprising a blank of sheetV material including a top panel, end panel, bottom" panel and second end panel connected in end to'. end relationship to define substantially the overall length of' saidfblank, each of said panels being folded relative to its adjacent connected panel along al foldline extending transversely of said blank said connected top, bottom and en'd-panels each being adapted to be respectively folded about a foldline todeline a closed quadrilateral iigure having opposed full open sides, a rst panel and. second intermediate panel and top sub-panelv connected therebetv'veen,-Y said intermediate panels and sub-panel being connected about a foldline extending along a longitudinal` edge of said top panel whereby said intermediate panels and sub-panel rare adapted to be reversely folded onto said' toppanel. whereby the tirst and secondVv intermediate panels are folded normal to said sub-panel so as to deiine' partitions extending between theI top and bottom panels to dividel said quadrilateral figure into a plurality of full open Vside cells extending the length of said end panels when folded and can retaining flaps blanked out of the plane of said top and bottom panels, and said tlaps including means for positively maintaining saidaps raised out of the plane' l1. The invention as defined in claim 10u/herein said can chime engaging portion offsaid bottom panel iiaps each have an arcuate periphery, said tlaps'being'disp'osed on opposite sides of the longitudinal centerline ofc said bottom panel, and the arcuate'periphery ofv said chimev engaging portion being disposed adjacent said centerline.

12. A folder wrapper type can carrier formed of a single blank of sheet material comprising, Vau top panel, a lrandle connected about =a foldlin'e to oneV end of said top panel, an endwall connected abouta foldline to the other endV of saidtop panel, a' bottom panel connectedv about a foldlin'e at one end thereof to the other end'of said end Wall, a second end wall connected along av foldline to the other end of said-bottom panel, a complementary'handle panel connected about the foldline to the other end of said second end wall, a top sub-panel, and a first and second intermediatevpanel, said intermediate panels being connected alongL affoldlineon either side of said top subfpanel, said intermediate panels and sub-panel connected therebetween ,being adapted to be reversely folded along a foldline extending longitudinally along,between one edge of said sub-panel and adjacent top panel so asto overlie said top panel, and said intermediate panels being foldableV relative saidV toppanel so as to extend between'said top and `bottom panel in thepfoldecl position thereof,fand a plurality of can retaining-flaps blanked out of said top and bottom panels 'for retaining a can therebetween, wherein the flaps in said bottom panel include a can chime engaging portion' blanked out'of'said bottom panel, and means hingedly connected' to said chime engaging portions and reversely folded outwardly relative thereto for positively retaining the can lengaging portion of said bottom iiaps raised out of they plane of said bottom panel and inwardly of saidY carrier for insuring positive engagement between the cans'and the chime engaging portion of the respective liiaps.

13. A folder wrapper type can carrier formedV ofa single blank of sheet materialrcomprising, a top panel, a handle connected about a foldline to'one end of saidtop panel, an end wall connected about a foldline to the other end of said top panel, a bottom panel connected about a foldline at one end thereof to the other end of said end wall, a second end wall connected along a foldline to the other end of said bottom panel, a complementary handle panel connected about the foldline to the other end of said second end wall, a top sub-panel, and a rst and second intermediate panel, said intermediate panels being connected along a foidline on either side of said top sub-panel, said intermediate panels and sub-panel connected therebetween being adapted to be reversely folded along a foldline extending longitudinally along between one edge of said sub-panel and adjacent top panel so as to overlie said top panel, and said intermediate panels being foldable relative said top panel so as to extend between said top and bottom panel in the folded position thereof, and a plurality of can retaining flaps blanked out of said top and bottom panels for retaining a can therebetween, wherein each of said llaps in said bottom panel includes a can chime engaging portion and a connected tab portion cut out of the bottom panel, said tab and notch from which said tab is blanked having complementary inwardly tapering edge portions and said tab being formed shorter than said tab notch, said chime engaging portion and connected tab being reversely folded about a oldline so that the said chime engaging portion is disposed inwardly of said carrier to lie adjacent the inner surface of the bottom panel, and said connected tab portion being reversely folded about a foldline relaso that said tab is repositioned in the respective tab notch in said bottom panel, said tab being reversely folded relative said chime engaging portion about a foldline disposed in the plane of chime engaging portion and spaced from the foldline of said chime engaging portion so that said tab is frictionally retained in said notch for positively assuring that said chime engaging portion is raised out of the plane of its respective panel during a can loading operation.

l4. A blank construction for forming an improved carrier for multiple can or the like comprising a blank of strip material including a top panel, an end panel, a bottom panel, and a second end panel, said panels being connected in end to end relationship and adapted to be folded about transversely extending foldlines to define a closed quadrilateral ligure having opposed open sides whereby said closed figure is adapted to enwrap at least three cans disposed in a row wherein said end panels are disposed contiguous to the end cans in said row, means for maintaining said blank in its folded position and said top and bottom panels are disposed contiguous to the top and bottom of each can in said row, and means blanked out of said top and bottom panels for releasably retaining the middle can of said row independently of the other cans within said closed ligure.

15. A blank construction for forming an improved cell forming type Wrapper can carrier from a single blank of sheet material having a minimum overall length in the unfolded position thereof comprising,

(a) a blank of sheet material forming girth defining portion and a connected laterally disposed portion, said girth deiining portion including a top panel, end panel, bottom panel, and second end panel connected in end to end relationship,

(b) each of said panels being folded relative toits adjacent connected panel along a foldline extending transversely of said blank whereby the sum of the length of said top, end, bottom and second end panels determines substantially the overall length of said blank in the unfolded position thereof,

(c) said connected top, bottom and respective end panels each being adapted to be respectively folded about a foldline to dene a closed quadriiateral gure having opposed full open sides,

(d) and said laterally disposed portion including a first and second intermediate panel forming means, and a top sub panel forming means connected therebetween,

(e) said lirst and second intermediate panel forming means and connected top sub-panel forming means being laterally disposed with respect to said girth deiining panels and connected thereto along a lfoldline coincident with adjacent edge portions of said top sub panel and adjacent girth defining portion so that in the folded position of the blank said intermediate panel forming means and connected top subpanel forming means are adapted to be reversely folded into overlying relationship with said adjacent girth defining portion,

(f) and said first and second intermediate panel lforming means being folded normal to said sub-panel forming means along their respective connecting foldlines to deline partitions to divide the quadrilateral ligure dened by the folded girth dening portion into a plurality ot full open side cells which extend throughout the height of said end panels.

t6. A blank construction for forming an improved collapsible wrapper type can carrier comprising a blank of sheet material including a top panel, end panel, bottom panel and second end panel connected in end to end relationship, each of said panels being folded relative to its adjacent connected panel along a foldline extending transversely of said blank to deiine a closed quadrilateral figure having opposed opened sides, a sub panel, a iirst panel and second intermediate panel connected about a foldline on either side of said sub panel, said intermediate panels and sub panel connected therebetween being adapted to be revcrsely folded along a foldline extending longitudinally between one edge of said sub panel and adjacent top panel so as to overlie said top panel, said intermediate panels being adapted to be folded relative to said sub panel along the foldline therebetween so as to denne partitions extending between said top and bottom panels to divide said quadrilateral ligure into a plurality of cells when folded, and means for securing said blank in its folded position whereby said carrier in the folded position thereof can be readily collapsed so that the intermediate panels are disposed in overlying realtionship without being creased in the collapsed position thereof.

Reterences Cited by the Examiner UNETED STATES PATENTS 2,623,683 12/52 Ringler 220--113 2,634,895 4/53 Ringler 220-113 X 2,790,590 4/57 Toensmeier 206-65 X 2,874,833 2/59 Toensmeier 206-65 2,899,123 8/ 59 Currie 229-40 2,980,249 4/61 Paige 206-65 3,023,892 3/62 Crane 206-65 3,032,185 5/62 Ellis et al. 206-65 3,037,682 6/62 Darbert 229-40 FRANKLIN T. GARRETI, Primary Examiner.

EARLE J. DRUMMOND, Examiner. 

1. FOR USE IN A WRAPPER TYPE CAN CARRIER HAVING CONNECTED OPPOSED WALL PANELS, THE IMPROVEMENT OF A CAN RETAINING FLAP HAVING A CAN CHIME ENGAGING PORTION, SAID FLAP BEING CUT FROM ONE OF SAID WALL PANELS SO AS TO BE FOLDABLE ABOUT A FOLDLINE INWARDLY OF SAID WRAPPER WHEREBY SAID CHIME ENGAGING PORTION IS RAISED SLIGHTLY OUT OF THE PLANE OF SAID ONE WALL PANEL, AND A TAB HINGEDLY CON- 